Category Archives: Water Resources Management

Every 2nd of February, the world celebrates the International Wetlands Day to re-emphasize the importance of Wetlands in Sustainable Development. This observance was the result of:

“The Ramsar Convention (formally, the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat). It is an international treaty for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands,[1] recognizing the fundamental ecological functions of wetlands and their economic, cultural, scientific, and recreational value. It is named after the city of Ramsar inIran, where the Convention was signed in 1971.” (Source: Wikipedia)

The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance now includes 2208 Sites (known as Ramsar Sites) covering over 210,734,269.41 ha (520,735,720.3 acres). The country with the highest number of Sites is the United Kingdom at 170 and the country with the greatest area of listed wetlands is Bolivia, with over 140,000 km2 (54,000 sq mi).[2] The Ramsar definition of wetlands is fairly wide, including “areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters” as well as fish ponds, rice paddies and salt pans.[3]

Presently there are 169 contracting parties, up from 21 initial signatory nations in 1971. The state parties meet every three years as the Conference of the Contracting Parties (COP), the first held in Cagliari, Italy in 1980. Amendments to the original convention have been agreed to in Paris (in 1982) and Regina (in 1987).[4]

There is a standing committee, a scientific review panel, and a secretariat. The headquarters is located in Gland, Switzerland, shared with the IUCN.

Ramsar works closely with five (5) international organizations:

Birdlife International

IUCN – International Union For Conservation of Nature

IWMI – International Water Management Institute

Wetlands International

WWF International – World Wide Fund

The 2016 International Wetlands Day adopted the theme: Wetlands For Our Future Sustainable Livelihoods.

Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsar_Classification. The poster tells a story. From the mountains to the sea, the wetlands work for humanity – their beauty, diversity, utility. As providers of livelihood opportunities for people in the area and as habitat for plants and animals of diverse types and classes, the Wetlands need protection to make it sustainable, not only for the present but also for the future generations.

So, to better appreciate this day, let us begin by discussing what wetlands is all about.

What are wetlands?

According to Ramsar, wetlands are “areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters.” (https:/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramsar_Convention)

Rice paddy at Banaue, Ifugao, Philippines. (Source: The National Geographic)

Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year, including during the growing season. Water saturation (hydrology) largely determines how the soil develops and the types of plant and animal communities living in and on the soil. Wetlands may support both aquatic and terrestrial species. The prolonged presence of water creates conditions that favor the growth of specially adapted plants (hydrophytes) and promote the development of characteristic wetland (hydric) soils.

Wetlands vary widely because of regional and local differences in soils, topography, climate, hydrology, water chemistry, vegetation and other factors, including human disturbance. Indeed, wetlands are found from the tundra to the tropics and on every continent except Antarctica. Two general categories of wetlands are recognized: coastal or tidal wetlands and inland or non-tidal wetlands. (Source: http://www.epa.gov)

What are the Components of Wetlands?

The US Environmental and Protection Agency stated the following as components of wetlands.

Components:

Tidal wetlands in the United States, as their name suggests, are found along the Atlantic, Pacific, Alaskan and Gulf coasts. They are closely linked to our nation’s estuaries where sea water mixes with fresh water to form an environment of varying salinities. The salt water and the fluctuating water levels (due to tidal action) combine to create a rather difficult environment for most plants. Consequently, many shallow coastal areas are unvegetated mud flats or sand flats. Some plants, however, have successfully adapted to this environment. Certain grasses and grasslike plants that adapt to the saline conditions form the tidal salt marshes that are found along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts. Mangrove swamps, with salt-loving shrubs or trees, are common in tropical climates, such as in southern Florida and Puerto Rico. Some tidal freshwater wetlands form beyond the upper edges of tidal salt marshes where the influence of salt water ends.

Non-Tidal wetlands are most common on floodplains along rivers and streams (riparian wetlands), in isolated depressions surrounded by dry land (for example, playas, basins and “potholes”), along the margins of lakes and ponds, and in other low-lying areas where the groundwater intercepts the soil surface or where precipitation sufficiently saturates the soil (vernal pools and bogs). Inland wetlands include marshes and wet meadows dominated by herbaceous plants, swamps dominated by shrubs, and wooded swamps dominated by trees. (www.epa.gov)

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Palawan is considered by Ramsar as one of the important Wetlands sites in the Philippines. (Source: http://www.pre-tend.com/beautiful-places-to-visit-in-philippines/)

The island of Olango which is part of the province of Cebu is also an important wetland site in the Philippines according to Ramsar. (Source: http://www.beyondcebu.com)

Certain types of inland wetlands are common to particular regions of the country. A full list can be found here.

Many of these wetlands are seasonal (they are dry one or more seasons every year), and, particularly in the arid and semiarid West, may be wet only periodically. The quantity of water present and the timing of its presence in part determine the functions of a wetland and its role in the environment. Even wetlands that appear dry at times for significant parts of the year — such as vernal pools– often provide critical habitat for wildlife adapted to breeding exclusively in these areas. (Source: http://www.epa.gov)

Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary is considered as one of the important Wetland Sites in the Philippines by Ramsar. (Source: s.yimg.com JOJI ALCANTARA Photo.)

Functions & Values of Marshes, Swamps, Bog, Fens, others.

Marshes recharge groundwater supplies and moderate streamflow by providing water to streams. This is an especially important function during periods of drought. The presence of marshes in a watershed helps to reduce damage caused by floods by slowing and storing flood water. As water moves slowly through a marsh, sediment and other pollutants settle to the substrate or floor of the marsh. Marsh vegetation and microorganisms also use excess nutrients for growth that can otherwise pollute surface water such as nitrogen and phosphorus from fertilizer. (Source: http://www.epa.gov)

Olango Island Wildlfe Sanctuary in Cebu is also in the list of Ramsar as an important Wetlands in the Philippines. Thank you NILO ARRIBAS, JR. Photo. (Source: ttps://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=C211US1134D20151124&p=Olango+island%2C+cebu)

Functions & Values of Non-Tidal Marshes and other non-tidal wetlands.

Due to their high levels of nutrients, freshwater marshes are one of the most productive ecosystems on earth. They can sustain a vast array of plant communities that in turn support a wide variety of wildlife within this vital wetland ecosystem. As a result, marshes sustain a diversity of life that is disproportionate to their size. In addition to their considerable habitat value, non-tidal marshes serve to mitigate flood damage and filter excess nutrients from surface runoff. (Source: http://www.epa.gov)

What is the importance of wetlands?

According to EPA the US Environmental Protection Agency through its website – http://www.epa.gov/wetlands/why-are-wetlands-important:

“Wetlands are important features in the landscape that provide numerous beneficial services for people and for fish and wildlife. Some of these services, or functions, include protecting and improving water quality, providing fish and wildlife habitats, storing floodwaters and maintaining surface water flow during dry periods. These valuable functions are the result of the unique natural characteristics of wetlands.

Hereunder is the link to U.S. EPA on the discussion that focuses on restoration and conservation.

This is the Ilog River Estuary where wetlands can also be found. It is located in the southern part of Negros Occidental, Philippines. It is the sanctuary of different species of migratory and native birds, wildlife and home to plants. It also provides livelihood opportunities to the local fisherfolks and farmers. (Source: scienceray.com or http://s3.amazonaws.com/readers/2012/04/11/2_2.jpg)

Observation/Remark. To ensure success in the protection and conservation of wetlands, there is a need for community involvement. Hereunder, a link is provided for you to get some ideas on how a community gets involved in the protection and conservation of their wetlands. This refers to Volunteer Monitoring. It also discusses the importance of community volunteers to monitor the different species of fishes and other animals that make the wetlands their habitat and how they can also be protected.

Wherever you are situated, your country’s wetlands are an important part of your environment. In it, lies the different species of fishes, wildlife, endangered species of plants and other animals that contribute to a balanced eco-systems. As previously mentioned, the wetlands have enumerable benefits not only to the soil and living organisms that make it their habitat but more importantly to people who benefits from many resources that the wetlands produce.

As an income generator or livelihood provider, the Wetlands must be protected and conserved so that eco-tourism, fishery, food production, natural beauty of the locality and sustainable development, as a whole, can be achieved.

For the local community, specifically in Asia and the Philippines, the following programs and projects can be considered to protect and conserve the Wetlands. a) Survey the existing wetlands in your community; b) Identify its inhabitants such as fishes, turtles, birds and other animals, kinds of grasses and other forms of life that depend its existence upon this wetland; c) Identify the different uses of the wetland such as fishing, food production, eco-tourism and many others; d) conduct a strategic planning workshop to identify the existing situation of the wetland, its prospects for the future, the ways and means to achieve and reach this future, and strategies and approaches to its sustainable development; e) Identify and motivate the support of the local community by organizing a group of Local Volunteers for the protection and conservation of the wetland; f) Design a Sustainable Development Plan for the Wetland in cooperation with local community, the local officials, the government, and civil society; g) the local Environment Office should take the lead in organizing a Technical Working Group or a Committee that should implement, monitor, evaluate and sustain all activities.

You can adopt this motto to make your work effective – “Act locally and think globally” to protect and conserve a more sustainable wetland. If everybody does it locally, imagine what will the effects be to the world because of this local and then global activities. It is immensely great. Right?

The Philippines is the home of five (5) important Wetlands Sites identified by the Ramsar. These are:

Wildlife Sanctuary, Agusan del Sur

Olango Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Cebu

Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Palawan

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River Natural Park, Palawan

Las Pinas-Paranaque Critical Habitat and Ecosystem Area.

Other sources mentioned Naujan Lake National Park at Oriental Mindoro. Here is the photo from chendelmundoMD’s site.

This is Naujan Lake National Park at Oriental Mindoro. (Source: flyinstyledaily.blogspot.com)

The Philippine government, the Local Government Units such as the Provinces, Cities and Municipalities are actively involved in the forefront as leaders in the conservation and protection of these wetlands.

In closing, Earthniversity would like to emphasize that there are other activities that the community can think of, implement and monitor in order to achieve the local goals of protecting and conserving the Wetlands.

Earthniversity would like to acknowledge its various sources of information in coming up with this discussion. All sources of materials such as texts and photographs used here have been individually cited. Thank you to you all.

Earthniversity does not own these ideas but cites the different sources of information to come up with a more organized presentation regarding the Wetlands and how the people in the community can help to protect and conserve these Wetlands.

NASA Goddard had released this video projecting the occurrence of drought in American West. As the old question goes, “Do you give a damn?” I suppose the answer would be, “Yes, we give a damn”. After all the enumeration of the factors that contribute to the issue on Drought, we “zero in” on the changing climate as one of the biggest factor. If we will have a status quo in terms of human activities including the immission of greenhouse gasses, then the threat of Drought around the world, not only in the American West, will continue to rise. Therefore, there is a need for all peoples in the world to change their habits and human activities focusing on the immission of greenhouse gases. If we do this, then there will be hope for a reduction in the threats of Drought in areas already affected by it, and the chances of lessening the occurrence of Drought in areas that are not yet affected.

The environmentalist groups led by Patagonia Defense Council or PDC Coalition which includes International Rivers, the Natural Resources Defense Council and local citizens and community groups had successfully blocked the construction of HidroAysen Project in Chile. This development came about four months ago in June 2014. Earthniversity considered this event, happening in that far-flung country in South America, as worth sharing to our readers and followers. We hope we can learn from the PDC’s experience.

According to Andrea Germanos, staff writer of Common Dreams, the “HidroAysén project in the seismically active area would have included five dams on two rivers in Patagonia—the Baker and Pascua—and, according to International Rivers, would have resulted in the flooding of “nearly 15,000 acres of globally rare forest ecosystems and some of the most productive agricultural land in the area,” impacting wildlife and forcing the displacement of people.”

Germanos further stated that “the nation’s top administrative authority, the Council of Ministers, unanimously overturned the environmental permits issued in 2011 for the dams.” Germanos also noted that Environment Minister Paul Badenier was quoted by the Wall Street Journal. Badenier said that “A decision was taken to accept the community appeals and void the Environmental Qualification Resolution that approved HidroAysén; so the project is declared rejected by this administrative act.”

For a full account of the story written by Andrea Germanos of Common Dreams, please go to this link:

Campaigners at one of the rivers that would have been affected by the HidroAysen project. Middle banner reads: Patagonia without dams. (Photo Source – Massimo Lupo/cc/flickr as cited by Andrea Germanos, Staff Writer of Common Dreams. Hereunder is the link:

In a related story, a team composed of Ham Kim, Ravi Manghani and Lauren Pappone of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University conducted a study on the Baker-Pascua Project, Patagaonia, Chile. Here is the Abstract of that study. (Source: htthttps://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/display/aquapedia/Baker-Pascua+Project%2C+Patagonia%2C+Chile)

TITLE: BAKER-PASCUA PROJECT, PATAGONIA, CHILE

By: Han Kim, Ravi Manghani and Lauren Pappone

Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University (November 2009)

ABSTRACT:

The key issues in the water dispute are:

1. The effects of the proposed hydropower project on communities proximal to and dependent on the Baker and Pascua Rivers and potential impacts on both river ecology and the surrounding area, including forest land through which new power lines would run.

2. The Baker-Pascua Project is situated in Patagonia,Chile. The companies involved, the Chilean government, and some citizens see the rivers of southern Patagonia as a source of much-needed electricity (C).

3. However, environmental groups, many local residents, and other citizens see the rivers as having an intrinsic value as wild rivers (V), as supporting diverse ecosystems (E), and as a source of food and tourism income for local communities.

4. Stakeholders debate on the importance of the effects resulting from the change in the distribution of the rivers’ flows (Q) caused by this project. This conflict is driven primarily by economic considerations (C), because the project is motivated by Chile’s need to support its growing industries and economic development, and the involved companies’ desire for a profitable energy venture.

5. We propose that a potential solution lies in government (G), which could use economic mechanisms(C) to incentivize other more sustainable options for generating electricity. However, such an approach has been difficult to implement due to the limitations of the current institutional structures.

Comment:

For a thorough discussion on this study by Fletcher University team, please click the link below.

This map shows the location of Baker River and Pascua River. (Source: Goggle Earth as cited by https://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/display/aquapedia/Baker-Pascua+Project%2C+Patagonia%2C+Chile)

Source: Google Earth

Source: geographicguide.com

Conclusion:

The Patagonia Defense Council of Chile, exemplifies how a non-governmental organization who existed in a social setting where powerful groups of individuals and entities assert themselves to implement projects that they thought could bring unprecedented economic growth to the locality in particular and the country in general.

However, when the Environmental Impact Assessments of the project is considered, many issues have to be addressed and must be given a clear treatment on how it should be handled in order to minimize the negative impacts of the project to the environment, the people and stakeholders, the Biodiversity, etcetera and so on and so forth.

For me, PDC’s work on the Baker and Pascua Rivers Dam Project, also known as HidroAysen Project is a Model and a Best Practice that every environmentalist group existing in communities with similar situations as Patagonia’s Baker and Pascua Rivers should learn from.

The existing status of rejecting the dam project is not yet final as HidroAysen Project Officials might appeal the decision to the Environment Court or the Higher Court of Chile. This was the observation of Luis Andres Henao of Associated Press, dated June 11, 2014.

If you feel that the Patagonia Experience can be of help to your own local experience and to your LGU’s Environment and Sustainable Development strategies, you may also visit the website of International Rivers where additional information on the HidroAysen Project can be found.